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Sandburg, Bailey show no quit against Stagg
Updated: September 13, 2011 2:41PM
Last season, Sandburg’s Kristen Bailey was a determined spectator at Eagles volleyball matches as she was rehabbing a right knee after having ACL surgery.
The hard work was a success. All she wanted this summer was a chance to make the team.
Sandburg coach David Vales gave her one. In Sandburg’s 23-25, 25-16, 25-13 SouthWest Suburban crossover win Monday over host Stagg, she showed her gratitude.
The 6-foot senior middle hitter came up huge during a 9-0 run that Sandburg used to close out Game 2. She finished with six kills, one of the leaders in a six-pack of Eagles hitters.
Dakota Hampton led the way with 11 kills, while Paige Bendell, Kristy Theisen and Kara Kentner had six and Bridget Lebert five. Kentner added 21 assists and Kendall Riechman nine digs as Sandburg improved to 3-1.
Jill Conrad led Stagg (2-7) with 11 kills, seven service points and six assists, while Morgan Thomas added 18 digs and Megan Hearne 12 service points.
Bailey hurt her right knee at a soccer practice in spring 2010. The six-month journey back saw her able to join the basketball team halfway through the 2010-11 season.
“It’s been a long journey,” Bailey said. “I’m just go grateful to have had the opportunities and experiences I’ve had.
“I owe so much to this team and to the coaches for giving me a chance. My teammates have been behind me the whole time, helping me get back on track.”
Conrad, a 5-11 junior, was a force for Stagg in Game 1, landing several big kills, including one that broke a 23-all tie. Hearne then delivered an ace to win it for the Chargers.
“Jill is a leader,” Stagg coach Deanna Storino said. “She’s always been a leader since she was a freshman. We want all of our hitters to be more like her. It just takes a certain kind of fire inside of people to want to get set all the time.”
Game 2 was tied at 16-all when the whole complexion of the match changed.
Lebert put down three kills and Bailey two kills and a block as Sandburg closed Game 2 in stunning fashion.
The Eagles picked right up in Game 3, racing to an 8-0 lead as Lebert and Bendell had kills and Kentner an ace serve.
“I think our team chemistry just kind of clicked in,” Bailey said. “Finally, we get past our slowness and our mistakes.
“It’s been a long break (10 days between matches). But we picked it up today at the end.”
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